Hurricane disaster moves softball tournament to Albany

Albany -- Albany has taken in another evacuee left homeless because of Hurricane Katrina, a national softball tournament.

The Rascals from Buffalo, New York are one of the 14 teams that have come to Albany for the Men's Masters 35 and Over national softball championship tournament.

The national tournament was to be played in Jackson, Mississippi this weekend, but Hurricane damage forced them to move the tourney to Albany.

Rascal's coach Michael Geiger said "They lost probably 5 to 10 teams. Most of the teams they lost were from the Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama area. Those teams obviously have other things to worry about than softball. Our hearts are out to them."

Albany is also hosting the Men's Masters 45 and over National Softball Championships this weekend.

So hundreds of softball players, coaches, and families are jamming the hotels and restaurants in Albany, with a big economic impact homerun.